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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Toluene

Dean Water Supply Corporation

Toluene is a volatile solvent that harms the nervous and immune systems, damages the liver and may increase the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. Read More.

Toluene is a petroleum-derived chemical found in gasoline and used as a solvent in paints, adhesives and cleaning supplies. Toluene is highly neurotoxic. Exposure can cause fatigue and nausea, and may lead to nervous system disorders.

 

17

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND10ND
2015ND40ND
2016ND30ND
2017ND30ND
2018ND30ND
2019ND30ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 150 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 150 ppb for toluene was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against harm to internal organs.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 1,000 ppb

The legal limit for toluene, established in 1991, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals conducted in the 1980s.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2014-12-19Q1460754007ND
2015-07-02AC98352ND
2015-12-02Q1547859006ND
2015-12-02Q1547859003ND
2015-12-02Q1547859002ND
2016-10-17Q1644288006ND
2016-10-17Q1644288003ND
2016-10-17Q1644288002ND
2017-08-30Q1739978013ND
2017-08-30Q1739978021ND
2017-08-30Q1739978016ND
2018-08-01Q1830513008ND
2018-08-01Q1830513002ND
2018-08-01Q1830513006ND
2019-08-08Q1952672002ND
2019-08-08Q1952672006ND
2019-08-08Q1952672004ND